Hosted by author, coach, and social skills expert Caroline Maguire, M.Ed, The ADHD Social Playbook is a heartfelt and practical podcast for neurodivergent adults who want real connection but often feel stuck, misunderstood, or overwhelmed.
This show is for adults with ADHD and anxiety who struggle with making and keeping friends, managing emotional overwhelm, or constantly replaying social interactions. It’s for anyone who’s been told they’re “too much” or “too sensitive,” who feels behind socially, or who masks their true self just to fit in. Whether you were diagnosed with ADHD as a kid or just uncovered it as an adult, this podcast will help you untangle the social knots and start building the connections you deserve.
Each episode features honest conversations with experts, advocates, and real people who get what it’s like to feel out of sync. Together, we explore how to build relationships that feel safe, show up with confidence, and recover from the bumps along the way.
If you're tired of social scripts that don't fit and advice that doesn't stick, this is your playbook for finding connection that actually works.
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Hosted by author, coach, and social skills expert Caroline Maguire, M.Ed, The ADHD Social Playbook is a heartfelt and practical podcast for neurodivergent adults who want real connection but often feel stuck, misunderstood, or overwhelmed.
This show is for adults with ADHD and anxiety who struggle with making and keeping friends, managing emotional overwhelm, or constantly replaying social interactions. It’s for anyone who’s been told they’re “too much” or “too sensitive,” who feels behind socially, or who masks their true self just to fit in. Whether you were diagnosed with ADHD as a kid or just uncovered it as an adult, this podcast will help you untangle the social knots and start building the connections you deserve.
Each episode features honest conversations with experts, advocates, and real people who get what it’s like to feel out of sync. Together, we explore how to build relationships that feel safe, show up with confidence, and recover from the bumps along the way.
If you're tired of social scripts that don't fit and advice that doesn't stick, this is your playbook for finding connection that actually works.
What if you had known about your ADHD diagnosis sooner? In part two, Caroline and psychotherapist and ADHD coach IngerShaye Colzie talk about late diagnosis, grief, and why the goal is not a perfect past, it is a better tomorrow. We unpack masking by choice, how diagnosis helps you string together more good days, and practical steps to move from regret to agency. If you missed part one, watch that first, then come back here.
Caroline sits down with Dr. Megan Anna Neff for part two of their conversation to dig into energy, burnout, and unmasking for ADHD and autistic folks. They explore why many ADHD brains lean on urgency and “hurry” to get going, how that cortisol-driven push fuels boom and bust cycles, and what to try instead. Dr. Neff walks through her PINCH framework (passion, interest, novelty, challenge or competition, and hurry) and shares what changed when she stopped over-relying on hurry.
If you have ever felt like you could not show your full self at work or in friendships, this conversation is for you. Caroline and psychotherapist and ADHD coach Inger Shaye Colzie talk about masking and code switching, safety in professional spaces, the “glass cliff” many Black women face, and why domestic expectations like laundry can become a quiet source of shame. You will hear practical ways to choose when to mask for safety, how to drop the performance that drains you, and how to set up a life that matches what you actually want.
What if your struggles are not about grit or hacks, but about identity. In this energizing part two, Tracy Otsuka and I talk about why so many ADHD women are told to be less, how that erodes confidence, and what changes when you know your values, strengths, and needs. We dig into finding your “sweet spot,” building confidence through action, and reshaping friendships so you have people who lift you up.
When you don’t have words for what’s going on, it’s easy to think “I’m lazy” or “I’m just too much.” Once you learn the language of ADHD and autism, including executive function, sensory needs, and real supports, everything starts to click. In this conversation, Caroline and clinical psychologist Dr. Megan Anna Neff unpack the push and pull of being AuDHD, why sensory needs matter in ADHD too, how naming needs lowers shame, and practical self-advocacy that protects your energy and your relationships.
In this uplifting video (part two) Caroline and Dr. Carolyn Parcels get real about ADHD, friendship, and parenting neurodivergent kids. You’ll hear how to find people who magnify your light, why friendship is a two-way street, and how to balance advocating for your child with helping them self-advocate. We also dig into the mental load many women carry, the shame that can follow late ADHD diagnoses, and practical ways to ask for help because none of us does this alone.
Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright join me for an inspiring chat on friendship, respect, and creative collaboration within the ADHD community. Discover how their partnership thrives through honesty, clarity, and compassion.
Today I am joined by my friend and colleague Tracy Otsuka, JD, certified ADHD coach, attorney, host of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, and author of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. In today's podcast we're digging into into late diagnosis, interpersonal intuition, rejection sensitivity dysphoria, perfectionism, and how feeling misunderstood can strain our friendships. We also talk about dropping the mask, finding your people, and growing relationships that fit your real life. Tracy has been an incredible supporter of The ADHD Social Playbook and my work in general. She's a wealth of insight and is here today to explore what it's like to be a woman with ADHD and how unique that can be.
Caroline talks with Pete Wright and Nikki Kinzer about their enduring friendship, creative collaboration, and how ADHD impacts the way we connect, both online and off. A candid and funny look at virtual connection, real-world friendship, and everything in between.
Dr. Carolyn Parcells discusses her ADHD story, friendship, and the power of supportive communities. This episode highlights resilience, masking versus adapting, and the importance of having people who truly "get you."
This episode challenges the idea that schools truly prepare kids for the “real world” and explores how flexibility and self-advocacy empower neurodiverse learners. Emily and Amanda also discuss the dangers of shapeshifting to fit in and the importance of helping kids discover their authentic identities.
In this episode of The ADHD Social Playbook Podcast, Caroline Maguire and Dr. Russell Ramsay dive into triggers, anxiety, and why self-talk plays such a huge role in how people with ADHD feel about themselves. Dr. Ramsay introduces distance self-talk, a practical tool that helps quiet negative inner chatter and makes emotional regulation easier. Discover strategies to manage impulsivity, rumination, and emotional flooding so you can feel calmer and more in control.
Dr. Ari Tuckman joins us to unpack the real challenges behind ADHD and productivity. Learn why motivation, boundaries, and realistic strategies matter more than quick fixes.
Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morgan discuss the pressures of masking, perfectionism, and the toll it takes on neurodivergent individuals. Learn why authentic environments matter and how we can better support neurodiverse communities.
Productivity isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters. In this episode, Dr. Ari Tuckman joins us to explore how ADHD impacts productivity, why perfectionism and shame hold us back, and how small wins can create big change.
Caroline Maguire talks with Dr. Russell Ramsay, founder of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adult ADHD Treatment Research Program, about the deep connection between ADHD and anxiety. They discuss emotional flooding, avoidance patterns, and why managing anxiety can feel so overwhelming for adults with ADHD. Dr. Ramsay offers cognitive behavioral therapy tools and hope for breaking maladaptive coping cycles and building emotional resilience.
Perfectionism and imposter syndrome can feel overwhelming, especially for people with ADHD. In this episode, Caroline Maguire talks with Dr. Sharon Saline about the roots of perfectionism, its impact on friendships and self-esteem, and how masking keeps us from true connection. Hear Dr. Saline’s personal story of bullying and recovery and discover practical insights for breaking free from perfectionist patterns.
In Part 2 of this insightful conversation, Dr. Kate Truitt dives deeper into her CPR for the amygdala technique—a powerful tool for calming the nervous system in real time. She shares practical, portable strategies like mindful touch and cognitive distraction that help regulate emotional overwhelm, especially for those with ADHD. Together with host Caroline Maguire, they explore how these simple rituals can empower us to shift from anxiety to calm, even in everyday situations.
In Part Two of this conversation, Dr. Jessica Ching and host Caroline Maguire explore how professionalism can act as a mask—contributing to burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Dr. Ching breaks down new data showing the direct link between authenticity and mental health outcomes, revealing how even small shifts in self-alienation can dramatically impact well-being. They also discuss the urgent need for systems that support emotional reintegration and authenticity in high-stakes professions like medicine.
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired—it’s a deep, lasting reaction to chronic stress that rest alone can’t fix. In this episode of The ADHD Social Playbook, Caroline Maguire talks with psychologist Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo about the true nature of burnout, especially in ADHD and autistic communities. They explore the six root causes of burnout, the cost of masking, and why authenticity and connection are essential for recovery.
Hosted by author, coach, and social skills expert Caroline Maguire, M.Ed, The ADHD Social Playbook is a heartfelt and practical podcast for neurodivergent adults who want real connection but often feel stuck, misunderstood, or overwhelmed.
This show is for adults with ADHD and anxiety who struggle with making and keeping friends, managing emotional overwhelm, or constantly replaying social interactions. It’s for anyone who’s been told they’re “too much” or “too sensitive,” who feels behind socially, or who masks their true self just to fit in. Whether you were diagnosed with ADHD as a kid or just uncovered it as an adult, this podcast will help you untangle the social knots and start building the connections you deserve.
Each episode features honest conversations with experts, advocates, and real people who get what it’s like to feel out of sync. Together, we explore how to build relationships that feel safe, show up with confidence, and recover from the bumps along the way.
If you're tired of social scripts that don't fit and advice that doesn't stick, this is your playbook for finding connection that actually works.
